My first question whenever a mom considers weaning as a means to return to fertility is how would you feel if you wean this child and never get pregant again? Would that be a source of ongoing regret? Something to consider as you're making decisions.
There are things you can try to speed the return of your fertility. Can you remember what nursing was like with your older child when your cycles returned? Did any particular events that changed your DS's nursing rhythm occur in the weeks just before you resumed menstruating?
Every woman is unique in how much stimulation she needs to maintain lactational amenorrhea - for some, ovulation and menstruation returns as soon as weaning begins (and introducing foods other than breastmilk is the start of weaning, so introducing solids may be enough), for others complete weaning may be necessary. Most are somewhere in between. Partial weaning, especially night weaning, may be enough to trigger ovulation. You may consider night weaning your LO, or simply reducing the frequency of night nursing, to see if that leads to a return of your menses. Simply an extended period (length will vary for each woman, but think 4 hours during the day or at least 6 hours at night) without nursing on a regular basis may be enough of a trigger. Increasing the amount of solids your LO eats, by offering food more frequently or not offering to nurse before offering solids (as is recommended typically) may also help. An abrupt, short-term change in nursing may also trigger ovulation; sometimes, taking a 24 hour nursing break may lead to a return in fertility even if you don't change anything else about your DS's nursing pattern (you'll likely need to hand express to comfort during that 24 hours to avoid plugged ducts/mastitis).
As already mentioned, if you were to get pregnant in the next few months, you'd likely need to supplement your DS with donor milk or infant formula. Most women do notice a drop in supply and a baby who's not close to a year will need the extra nutrition of supplemental milk.
